Improvement in metallic cartridges



GEORGE R". PIERCE.

V Improvemeht in Metallic Cartridges.

N0. 120 /323 Patented 0ct ."24,1a7 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

GEORGE R. PIERCE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC CARTRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 120,323, dated October24, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. PrERcE, of the city of Grand Rapids,county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Cartridges for Breech-Lo'adin g Fire-Arms; andthat the following is a full, clear, and sufficient description,reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and the letters ofreference marked thereon, and the same are made a part of thisspecification. I

In the drawing, Figure 1 represents the shell of a breech-loadingfire-arm to which my invention is attached. Fig. 2 is a sectional viewof the shell cup through the center longitudinally, and also a sectionalview of the cup or striker A.

B in Fig. 2 shows the movable and adjustable nipple. The nipple isprovided with a shoulder to prevent it from sliding too far into theshell, and also with a screw-thread and nut, N, by means of which it maybe adjusted. The shoulder of the nipple B strikes against a shoulder ofthe shell, as shown in Fig. 2, and the nipple moves freely in the shellthe distance between the shoulder of the nipple and the nut N. The cup Ais made cup-shaped, as shown, and of sufiicient size to fit closely intothe opening in the butt end of the shell, and appears when applied tothe shell as shown in Fig. 1. The cup A is provided with a groove ofsuitable size, as shown in Fig. 2 by E. In use, this groove may befilled with tallow or any other suitable substance, thereby renderingthe cartridge waterproof. The cup A, when pressed into the shell, restson the cap D, which is placed'on the nipple B, and the hammer of thegun, striking the cup or striker, explodes the cap. This cup orstrikermay be used with an anvil or nipple of any suitable construction. Itthus prevents the escape of powder and smoke except through the muzzle.The inner shell T or tube sustaining the nipple may be perforated withone or moresmall holes, as shown in Fig. 2 by c c, by and through whichthe fire communicates with the powder.

In using my invention the shell may be loaded in the ordinary way withpowder and wads, with either balls or shot. The cap is placed upon thenipple, and the cup A placed over the nipple and cap, sliding into theshell, as already de scribed. The shell is then loaded ready for use.

I claim for my invention the advantage over any and all othercartridges, in this: It is cheaper, simpler, less liable to get out ofrepair, and can be used with the ordinary ammunition most generally inuse, and can be applied to all breechloading fire-arms using What iscalled the center-fire.

Instead of using the nut N, as shown, a washer may be riveted on in itsplace.

Having. thus described my invention, what I claim to have invented, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The cup or striker A, whencombined with a cartridge-shell, to operate on an anvil or nipple, and acap carried by the same, substantially in the manner shown anddescribed.

2. The combination and arrangement of the cup or striker A, movable andadjustable nipple B, and shell, substantially as described.

GEO. R. PIERCE.

Witnesses: F. D. BOARDMAN, F. H. ALFORD. (32)

